Zeke worth the money or could Pollard tow the line?

Xeven · Dec 30, 2019

Honestly I think Zeke is decent RB but not Franchise RB. Pollard generally got more yards than Zeke after initial blocking scheme completed. I think this past year, Pollard could have actually won us a few more games with his vision and speed where Zeke can plow more short yards at the line when needed. Since we have both, we shoulda fed Pollard more when needing more than 4 yards.

The CAP money used on Zeke could have been better spent elsewhere.

CATCH17 · Dec 30, 2019

It clearly wasn't worth it.

I think last year kinda proved that this offense goes as Amari Cooper goes.

When he isn't right the whole thing doesn't work very well.

We can get out of his contract in a few years though and we'll get Zeke for his best years.

The smart move would've been to invest draft picks into that position and not cap space.

2016 Zeke was worth paying.

Bulked up Zeke without the explosion is just not worth it.

Ranching · Dec 30, 2019

No and no.

Killerinstinct · Dec 30, 2019

They overpaid Zeke, DLaw and Jaylon. They can and will be important pieces going forward but they have to stop overpaying. They should offer Dak, Amari and Byron fair contracts. If they don't sign then tag the ones you can and put them on the trade block.

Cmac · Dec 30, 2019

Zeke's already been announced the 2019 Fall Guy.......even when Pollard fumbled against Philly, it was Zeke's fault.

Dunks3001 · Dec 30, 2019

I mean Zeke finished 4th in rushing this year so you're saying Pollard would have finished 3rd or better if he was the lead guy all season? I don't think so, Tim. Pollard is a great complementary back and you can argue that he could have been used more but no way should he be the lead back.

Northern_Cowboy · Dec 30, 2019

Dunks3001 said:
I mean Zeke finished 4th in rushing this year so you're saying Pollard would have finished 3rd or better if he was the lead guy all season? I don't think so, Tim. Pollard is a great complementary back and you can argue that he could have been used more but no way should he be the lead back.

In 6 of our 8 wins this season Zeke went for more than 100 yards, in 7 of our 8 losses he went for less than 100 yards

Vtwin · Dec 30, 2019

Here at the Zone....
Game 14 - "Why did we pay Zeke when we have the great Tony Pollard on the roster?!!"

Game 15 - "OMG!!! Why is Pollard in the game and Zeke on the sideline on this critical drive?!!"

charron · Dec 30, 2019

Pollard is not a lead back. But he is an excellent change of pace guy. Coaches should change how much Pollard is used based on matchups and who is being more productive. In the games Zeke struggled they rarely gave pollard a chance to do anything.

Jkyle · Dec 30, 2019

This is a stupid thread.
Zeke got paid what the market dictated. Was it too much for my and others liking, yeah, but it is what it is.
He played his heart out this year despite getting killed due to lackluster Oline blocking.
I think it took him a few weeks to get into football shape due to his TC Holdout.
One of the reasons he wasn't as effective is due to the team falling behind in many games and the running game had to be eschewed.
He showed his heart and ability by continuing to give his all.
Hopefully, with a full offseason and TC without any distractions will allow him to get into better shape and lead to him being more dominant.
But if he doesn't get better Oline help, he will still struggle some.

Proof · Dec 30, 2019

Xeven said:
Honestly I think Zeke is decent RB but not Franchise RB. Pollard generally got more yards than Zeke after initial blocking scheme completed. I think this past year, Pollard could have actually won us a few more games with his vision and speed where Zeke can plow more short yards at the line when needed. Since we have both, we shoulda fed Pollard more when needing more than 4 yards.

The CAP money used on Zeke could have been better spent elsewhere.

zeke and decent shouldn’t be used in the same sentence. He’s a stud even in a “down” year.

pillars is nasty and should definitely be utilized more and in creative ways, but no he shouldn’t be the workhorse over zeke any more than the 6 ypc panty raider should’ve been over Murray.

Aven8 · Dec 30, 2019

Zeke did finish 4th in rushing. But he’s slowed up some. Interested to see him in a new offense. I’m glad we have both to play with for the next OC.

erod · Dec 30, 2019

Trade Zeke now before he gets to Vegas!!

Hurry!!!!!

zrinkill · Dec 30, 2019

Fletch · Dec 30, 2019

Vtwin said:
Here at the Zone....
Game 14 - "Why did we pay Zeke when we have the great Tony Pollard on the roster?!!"

Game 15 - "OMG!!! Why is Pollard in the game and Zeke on the sideline on this critical drive?!!"

True.

CWR · Dec 30, 2019

Zeke was good but sluggish to start. I think he will be better next season. Still you have to think Pollard and a youngster in earlier rounds would have been fine.

Avery · Dec 30, 2019

Zeke is a top 5 RB in the league and most would agree.

The key is how much do you actually pay a top 5 RB - and that's where the problem lies. It's a position where guys like Henry, Chubb and Carson are leading the league yet being paid a pittance.

I'm just not a huge fan of paying a premium for a position where good blocking and scheme can make marginal talent look like Pro Bowlers.

nightrain · Dec 30, 2019

No RB is worth that kind of money. They wear down too quickly. It's impossible to figure out who is going to be the next Smith or Payton. Zeke is a physical runner. He takes (and doles out) a tremendous beating. It's astounding the Cowboys couldn't see he was not a long term solution the way they lean on him.

blueblood70 · Dec 30, 2019

pollard is more the Kamara type and I saw Kamara struggle early this year went like 8 games with no tds was getting banged around without Ingram towing the line and banging on defenders before he got his, they started using that other back a lot more and Kamara started playing better....Pollard is the same way and zeke down year had his 35 yards out of 3rd overall back this season when he was hardly used in the second half of games where zeke was averging 6YPC in the first halfs and they abandon him late, heck last game they came out first 3 series and forget Zeke even though he had 80 int eh first..offense went pass happy as well in the beginning games and others, Zeke did very well given all that IMO.

thats not his fault at all..hes our bell cow and pollard our change of pace.. maybe Pollard and zeke get utilized more in the pass game with the new staff, they'd be smart to get agreat plan for that instead of forgetting about it most games..

No sports star is worth their contract but it wasn't a mistake and no Pollard alone could not have handled 300 carries..sorry I dont see it..

CalPolyTechnique · Dec 30, 2019

Cmac said:
Zeke's already been announced the 2019 Fall Guy.......even when Pollard fumbled against Philly, it was Zeke's fault.

Who were you blaming when Zeke fumbled this season?

Zeke worth the money or could Pollard tow the line?

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